George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

Sitterback to top

• George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham (1592-1628), Courtier; favourite of James I. Sitter associated with 48 portraits.

Artistback to top

• William Larkin (died 1619). Artist associated with 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This highly ambitious son of a Leicestershire knight rose to be the favourite of James I, and of his son Charles I, on the strength of his charm and good looks. He was full of brave schemes, but lacked the good sense to carry them out effectively. As Lord High Admiral he bungled expeditions to Cadiz and La Rochelle, and his diplomatic incompetence led him to become the House of Commons' 'grievance of grievances'. At the age of 36 he was assassinated by a fanatic while in Portsmouth. This portrait, which shows him in his garter robes, almost certainly commemorates his installation as a Knight of the Garter in 1616.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 30
• John Cooper, National Portrait Gallery Visitor's Guide, 2006, p. 30
• Nicholl, Charles, Insights: Shakespeare and His Contemporaries, 2005, p. 18
• Piper, David, The English Face, 1992, p. 73
• Piper, David, Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, 1625-1714, 1963, p. 39
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 86

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Carpets and textiles
• Jewellery
• On display at the Gallery